Sometimes I find myself chafing under the balance of so many hats: mother, wife, daughter, housekeeper, cook, exerciser, teacher, worshipper, etc. I feel like I can concentrate on a couple of areas and do them with excellence while ignoring others, or I can do a less-than-worthy job focusing on many areas at once.
Lately God has been showing me that His "burdens" (prayer time, Bible study, etc.) are not really burdens at all. He is not the burden-giver; He is the Burden Lightener. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. If He asks me to include Him in my day, it's for my benefit. He makes my day easier. He's not just one more thing to add into an already busy schedule; He's the reason for the schedule and the reason for my day.
I've committed to reading the book of Philippians every day for several weeks, and today (on my fifth time through in five days!) the phrase "Grace and peace to you from God the Father" at the beginning of the book jumped out at me. This phrase or something similar begins 13 books of the Bible in a row (from Romans to Philemon!) and it's been so easy to me for me to overlook it. But it reminds us that these letters are not simply more instructions and rules for us to obey, rebuke and correction for the things we do that are not according to God's Word. They are to fill us with grace and peace through these very activities!
Pretty cool, huh?
3 comments:
I noticed a similar message in Micah the other day. In Micah 2:7 God says "Do not my words do good to him whose ways are upright?" This was in response to false prophets who were tired of hearing about the immanent wrath of God for their sin. It struck me that God is not just a big bad guy that wants to punish us for our sin, but a good God that wants the best for us. Powerful stuff.
Wow, not only an excellent reminder, but a great way to encourage people (firstly, me) and lend a new excitement and expectation around spending time with God.
Thanks for your insight.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" sounds like you have found yet another reason to rejoice over our Lord! so happy for you.
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